Mattia Bellucci produced the biggest win of his career by defeating former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the second round of the Rotterdam ATP 500. The Italian qualifier, currently ranked No. 92, battled for over three hours to secure a 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 victory.

This victory represents Bellucci's inaugural success against a top-10 player, solidifying his status as an emerging talent on the ATP Tour. His strategic approach and mental fortitude proved to be overwhelming for Medvedev.
 

A Dominant Start from Bellucci

Bellucci came out firing from the very first game, playing with confidence and precision. He took the ball early, attacked Medvedev’s second serve, and looked to control rallies with deep, penetrating groundstrokes.

Medvedev struggled to find his rhythm as Bellucci dictated play with aggressive baseline exchanges. The Italian broke early and never looked back, wrapping up the first set 6-3 with a powerful service game.

A Tiebreak Thriller in the Second Set

The second set saw Medvedev regroup and raise his level. He improved his first-serve percentage and played with more consistency, forcing longer rallies to test Bellucci’s patience.

Despite Medvedev’s push, Bellucci continued to match him shot for shot, staying aggressive on returns and playing deep, attacking tennis.

The set went to a tiebreak, where Bellucci earned a match point at 6-5. However, nerves crept in, and Medvedev saved the match point before winning the tiebreak 8-6 to force a decider.

Bellucci’s Mental Strength in the Final Set

Most players would have lost momentum after missing a match point, but Bellucci remained focused. He continued playing with the same intensity, refusing to let Medvedev take control.

The Italian faced six break points in the final set but saved them all with fearless shot-making. His ability to stay composed under pressure ultimately made the difference.

At 4-3, Bellucci broke Medvedev’s serve with a stunning backhand winner down the line. With the match on his racket at 5-3, he served out the victory, sealing a career-defining win in front of an electrified crowd.

What This Win Means for Bellucci

This achievement represents a significant milestone in Bellucci's professional journey. At the age of 23, he has successfully defeated one of the top players in the world, demonstrating his potential to ascend further in the rankings.
 

Bellucci’s game has evolved significantly over the past year. He has added more aggression to his baseline play, improved his net game, and developed a stronger serve. With continued progress, he could soon become a consistent force on the ATP Tour.

Medvedev’s Early Season Struggles Continue

For Medvedev, this loss adds to a disappointing start to the 2025 season. After an early exit at the Australian Open, he was looking to regain form in Rotterdam but fell short against an inspired opponent.

Medvedev’s struggles against aggressive players have been well-documented. Against Bellucci, he found himself on the back foot too often, unable to impose his usual counterpunching game.

Despite this setback, Medvedev remains one of the toughest competitors on tour. With adjustments to his strategy and consistency, he will look to bounce back in upcoming tournaments.

Bellucci’s Next Challenge – A Quarter-Final Showdown

With this victory, Bellucci moves into the Rotterdam quarter-finals, where he will face either sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or home favorite Tallon Griekspoor. Both players present a tough challenge, but Bellucci’s confidence will be at an all-time high.

If Bellucci can maintain his aggressive style and mental composure, he has a real shot at reaching the semi-finals of an ATP 500 event for the first time in his career.